[Terry G]

Several years back a AUSA (Asst, U.S. Atty.) and I had some time to kill before court and we began discussing firearms. He was quite knowledgable about handguns, and of course knew a lot about the law, too. His advice on home defense and CCW was to use the same caliber as your local law enforcement did. He also recommended that whatever gun you chose in that caliber be kept stock, with minor, non-cosmetic changes to be okay. In his experience, non-standard rounds for exotic calibers and hot shot bullet's fired from tricked out guns, were an excellent way to lose a lawsuit. In his opinion, even if not prosecuted on criminal charges, a civil lawyer will tear you to shreds for spending "thousands of dollars to make this killer's weapon, a regular gun was not lethal enough." But stock guns and law enforcement ammunition are easily defensible.

 

[RIKA]

Ayoob makes the same argument but many other folks who seem to be knowledgable argue to the contrary. My thought is that I don't need a custom gun and exotic caliber to defend myself. My attacker is just as dead if I shoot him with my 45acp as with the 460 rowland. Another point (because I'm cheap) is why use a $2000 gun if the police are going to electropencil their names and case numbers on it and then throw it into an evidence locker where it will get scarred up.

Can you imagine shooting somebody with a 1902 American Eagle Luger or a Borchardt? Nightmare!

RIKA

 

[Garand]

So what your saying is if you have to defend yourself, don't use your favorite IPSC pistol?

 

[TODD 3465]

In other words don't use a handgun gun that has a camo finish, grip panels with the grim-reaper on them(Actually seen a set years back.), re-barrled to .468 Scum-Killer and loaded with your pet handloads topped with a hollow-pointed-pre-frag-multi-projectile-super-explosive-armor-piercing bullet of your own design.
And don't pack that rig in a rattle snake leather belt and holster combo with a skull shaped belt buckle.

 

[41mag]

I've heard that recomendation too.It makes sense in a kinda sad,twisted way.
A few friends heard the admonition from their CHL instructors to not use re-loads either.Only NIB factory ammo of the type used by the local PD.
I was a jurist last fall where both the prosecuting attorney & the defense attorney were making a big deal out of the defendants choice of hollow point ammo in his concealed Gluck.I thought that it was definately an attempt to sway the jury against the defendant.The case had nothing to do with ammo type as the case was about whether or not he had pulled the gun on a guy & you can't see the ammo in the gun obviously.It was an interesting tactic as it was one thing brought up by several fellow jurists as a negative towards the defendent.Even though A couple of us argued as to the ammo types irrelevance a few still used the hollowpoints to formulate their decision.
Wierd people.

 

[84 C4]

Does this same advice apply to BP and revolvers?

 

[Mike in NC]

Lawyers SUCK

 

[Garand]

To each his own, I'm going to shoot a match this weekend with my lawyer. Nice guy and he ensured I kept ALL my guns in the divorce!!

 

[DJetAce]

Light customization does not harm. It's things like hair triggers, cut off trigger guards, or handloads full of nails and tacks. Good sights, good trigger, better saftey, etc.. never hurts.

Just don't carve notches in the gun handel, like a gunfighter. Lawyers would LOVE to show you were either a blood thursty killer or a wannabe (like gunkid.)

 

[Magnum88C]

Just buy a reliable, fairly inexpensive gun that works and you don't have to cobble them up. Right there's a good argument for Glocks -- inexpensive, they work, and getting electropenciled and thrown in the evidence locker won't make them any uglier.

 

[TODD 3465]

Darn straight, that's why I like to keep a good supply of them handy.

 

[brass hammer]

listen up , for once!

using a firearm is the most readily available means a PERSON has to defend there LIVES![ my chainsaw wouldn't start,R.P.G.in the shop, flamethower out of jelley] BIG FRICKIN' DEAL,you are a live, that crap has never been proven, even in civil trial, that I know of. and has never once set a leagel precedent!


please, just live HAPPY while you can.


rant OFF. :sidestep:




thanks.

 

[RIKA]

please, just live HAPPY while you can.

thanks.

Best advice I've heard all week.

:beer:

RIKA

 

[brass hammer]

Right On!

YOU LITTLE PISTOL PACKIN' ,BABY DOLL, you.



[IN A john wayne voice]


thanks.

 

[BigJon]

Lawyers SUCK

I DO NOT! :crying:

 

[41mag]

Magnum88C ROFL!

A reason to but a Gluck,finally!

 

[Dorobuta]

Several years back a AUSA (Asst, U.S. Atty.) and I had some time to kill before court and we began discussing firearms. He was quite knowledgable about handguns, and of course knew a lot about the law, too. His advice on home defense and CCW was to use the same caliber as your local law enforcement did. He also recommended that whatever gun you chose in that caliber be kept stock, with minor, non-cosmetic changes to be okay. In his experience, non-standard rounds for exotic calibers and hot shot bullet's fired from tricked out guns, were an excellent way to lose a lawsuit. In his opinion, even if not prosecuted on criminal charges, a civil lawyer will tear you to shreds for spending "thousands of dollars to make this killer's weapon, a regular gun was not lethal enough." But stock guns and law enforcement ammunition are easily defensible.

Some states have laws that protect you (somewhat) from a civil suit, if the shoot is adjudicated as legal.